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ARISTOCRAT  ! 


TRADES  UNION  ADVOCATE;- 


COZiZiOQUIiil.    FOEIYE, 

RESPECTFULLY  DEDICATED 

1 

TO  THE  iMEMBERS  OF  THE  BOSTON  TRADES      '■ 
UNION  AND  VICINITY. 


WORKING    WOMAN    OF    BOSTON.  ] 


BOSTON:  j 

PRINTED  BY  LEONARD  W.  KIMBALL. 

.  ] 

1384. 


Enfored  nccordini?  to  act  of  Conerrcfs,  in  the  year  1F3-1,  by  Lfonard 
W.  Kimball,  in  tlie  Clerk's  Ullico  of  ilie  District  Court  of  Mossuclm- 
setts. 


PREFACE. 


Rude  am  I  in  speecli, 
An<l  little  blessed  witli  the  phrase  of  schools, 
For  since  these  arms  of  mine  had  ten  years  pith 
Until  these  few  last  hours  they  have  used 
Their  dearest  action  in  the  busy  kitchen.- 
And  little  of  this  grreat  world  can  [  speak, 
Alore  ilian  pertains  to  feats  of  broils  and  stews ; 
And  therefore  little  shall  I  ?race  jour  cause. 
Yet,  unions,  by  your  gracious  patience, 
I  will  a  plain  unvarnished  tai    deliver. 

Shakspearc,  new  version. 

On  the  morning  of  the  Fourth  of  July  while' view- 
ing your  arrangements  preparatory  to  forming  a  pro- 
cession, my  attention  was  arrested  by  the  conversa- 
tion of  two  gentlemen  at  a  little  distance  from  the 
place  where  I  stood.  I  did  not  see  them,  but  they 
spoke  with  so  much  clearness  and 'precision,  and 
their  subject  (the  Trades  Union)  becoming  more  and 
more  interesting,  and  having  determined  to  acquaint 
you  with  it  some  time  or  other,  I  found  no  difficulty 
in  hearing  and^committing  to  memory'the  most  im- 
portant parts  of  it.     But  do  not  imagine,  Unionists, 


vi  FHEFACE. 

can  assure  you  that  it  was  not  the  conversation  in 
it3  political  bearing'  whinh  interested  me,  but  that 
part  of  it  wherein  the  subject  of  complaint  appeared 
to  resemble  that  of  our  working  women.  We  know 
nothings  of  aristocracy,  democracy,  whigism,  or  to- 
ryism,  or  the  good  or  bad  effects  of  corporations, 
charters,  or  paper  currency.— But  though  ignorant 
of  these  matters,  as  a  body,  we  are  by  no  moans 
simpletons;  and  that  there  were  certain  customs  and 
practices  creeping  in  among  us  contrary  to  a  repub- 
lic, was  known  and  discussed  by  our  working  women 
long  before  you  thought  of  forming?a  "'dangerous 
combination."  Until  lately  however,  we  were  ig-nor- 
ant  of  the  cause  of  this  change, — nor  am  I  quite  sure 
that  we  possess  a  knowledge  of  the  true  cause  even 
now.  But  women  will  read  the  j)a])ers.  We  read 
them  for  the  purpose  of  finding  out  who,  uitliin  the 
last  week  has  been  so  unfortnnate'us  to  dio,'and  wiiat 
shocking  murders,  marriages,  suicides,  and  outrages 
have  been  perpetrated.  But  at  the  present  day  the 
perpetrators  of  murders,  marriages,  suicides,  &c., 
seem  to  have  suspended  their  operations  in  order 
that  Editors  may  liiivo  more  room  to  insert  chapters 
on  (Inngrrous  conibiniitions,  and  the  usurpations  of 
the  President ;  so  tluit  we  must  read  tliese  chapters 


PREFACE.  vii 

or  give  up  newspapers  entirely.  In  these  we  hre 
told  concerning-  the  Trades  Unionists,  that  they  are 
a  set  of  fellows  who  have  wickedly  and  feloniously 
combined  to  accuse  of  aristocracy,  &lc.  Slc,  our  most 
wealthy  and  enterprising  citizens ;  and  also  to  perpet- 
uate the  present  administration.  They  say  also  that 
ouir*>  President  has  commenced  an  unjust  warfare 
against  the  bank,  intending  to  destroy  its  currency 
which  they  say  is  the  best  in  the  whole  world,  and 
that  if  suffered  to  accomplish  his  "mad  schemes" 
the  annihilation  of  all  branches  of  national  industry 
will  be  the  consequence  ; — that  this  stroke  will  fall 
most  heavily  upon  the  working  classes,  as  there  will 
be  none  of  those  great  works  going  forward  which 
have  had  their  birth  and  nourishment  from  the  ex- 
pansion of  our  currency  by  the  banking  system. 
Tliat  we  must  go  back  in  our  career  40  or  50  years, 
and  the  working  classes  (men)  must  be  content  with 
50  cents  a  day  and  much  idleness  besides,  as  there 
will  be  little  demand  for  labor.  Now  every  word 
of  this  is  true  for  aught  we  know  to  the  contrary. 
But  we  read  these  accounts  to  our  mothers  and  old 
fashioned  aunts  and  uncles,  and  they  tell  us  that 
the  condition  of  the  working  classes  40  or  50  years 
ago  was  in  many  respects  better  than  at  the  present 


viii  PREFACE. 

day,  for  though  money  was  scarce,  and  working  men 
and  women  did  not  receive  more  than  half  the  pres- 
ent amount  of  wages,  yet  heing  very  frugal  in  their 
expenditures,  and  repuhlicanism  heing  very  plenty 
and  inucli  in  fashion  among  the  liigher  classes,  tliey 
always  had  enough  to  oat  and  wear,  felt  extremely 
independent  and  were  far  more  virtuous  in  the  msin 
than  they  arc  now.  They  furtiier  declare  that  in 
tliose  days  Mechanics  were  not  called  "lower  or- 
ders," nor  were  working  women  called  Servants  or 
required  to  consider  themselves  of  lower  origin  than 
their  employers.  They  say  that  riches  and  pride  go 
hand  in  hand,  and  that  hoth  these  have  increased  in 
ahout  the  same  ratio  for  the  last  15  or  20  years,  and 
in  their  opinion  will  continue  to  increase  till  Ameri- 
ca is  as  rich,  and  as  proud,  and  her  working  classes 
as  degraded  as  any  nation  of  Kluropo.  But  it  is  said 
that  the  aged  arc  prejudiced  in  favor  of  old  times, 
and  view  all  modern  improvements  with  extreme 
jealousy.  This  m;iy  he  true,  hut  in  many  respects 
our  own  ohservations  correspond  so  exactly  with 
their  t«-'stimony  that  we  are  convinced  tliere  is  a  lit- 
tle truth  somewhere  hetwcen  us.  I  helieve  it  is 
ahout  7  or  8  years  since  we  were  told  that  our  coun- 
try was  growing  rich  on  a  large  scale,  that  all  clas- 


rUEFACF,.  ix 

ses,  but  particularly  tlio  workinfr  classes,  would  be 
benefited,  because  all  kinds  of  work  would  be  abun- 
dant, and  because  employers  could  alford  to  give 
great  compensation  for  labor.  Tbat  America  ex- 
cept in  distinction  of  ranks  and  oppression  of  tlie 
poor  would  soon  be  on  a  par  with  other  nations. 
Now  whatever  other  classes  may  have  been  benefit- 
ed by  these  means,  it  is  pretty  certain  that  the  class 
of  females  who  Avork  in  families  have  not.  But 
quite  the  contrary  ;  for  before  our  country  became 
so  rich  it  was  not  thought  at  all  degrading  to  live  in 
families,  consequently  many  very  intelligent  and  re- 
spectable girls  were  found  in  kitchens.  But  branch- 
es of  national  industry  on  the  one  hand,  and  the 
increasing  pride  of  our  gentry  on  the  other,  have 
driven  them  away,  so  that  (comparitively  speaking) 
there  are  but  few  good  American  girls  who  have 
courage  enough  to  fill  those  stations  which  are  in 
themselves  honorable,  and  the  best  calculated  to 
make  working  women  what  they  ought  to  be.-T-We 
hear  much  about  this  "  age  of  intellect,"  and  about 
the  human  mind  every  where  bursting  its  fetters, 
and  marching  abroad  in  the  bright  sunshine  of  knowl- 
edge and  mental  independence,  and  yet  it  is  not 
uncommon  to  hear  lectures  on  the  respect  due  to 


X  PREFACE. 

those  of  a  "  superior  station,"  and  that  feelings  of 
itidopcntlcncc  and  equality  do  not  become  servants 
or  persons  of  low  origin,  that  servants  should  feel 
very  grateful  to  their  employers  for  the  privileges 
they  enjoy,  &:c.  But  what  privileges?  not  great 
compensation,  for  considering  tlie  prosperous  state  of 
the  country,  and  the  amount  of  labor  we  perform — 
this  is  a  mere  pittance.  It  is  true  many  of  us  live 
in  ]av<u2  and  elegantly  furnished  houses ;  but  thoj^< 
apartments  appropriated  to  our  use  are  not  ahvay.s 
contrived  or  fitted  up  with  a  view  to  our  comfort  or 
convenience.  But  iudifPerence  with  respect  to  wliere 
we  sleep,  or  work,  or  by  what  names  we  are  called, 
would  be  excellent  philosophy  and  which  we  might 
practice  perhaps  with  much  cheerfulness  if  wo  might 
still  be  considered  politically  equal,  or  if  the  term 
servants  were  applied  to  us  in  the  same  sense  that 
we  apply  it  to  our  clergymen,  or  governors,  wiiom 
we  call  i)ublic  siMvants,  and  to  whom  we  usually 
show  superior  respect  and  attention.  But  this  is  not 
the  case  ;  for  the  term  as  applied  to  us  is  always  ac- 
companied with  other  marks  of  humiliation  too  plain 
to  be  misunderstood.  But  working  women  are  not 
the  only  class  who  suflor  from  this  state  of  tilings. 
Those  among  the  rich  who  iuive  not  adopted  these 


TREFACE.  xi 

obnoxious  practices  and  who  do  not  wisii  to  impress 
on  tlie  minds  of  independent  women,  notions  of  men- 
tal or  civil  degradation.*  These  and  many  among 
the  middling  classes,  often  suffer  severely  for  want 
of  female  assistance,  which  cannot  be  procured,  be- 
cause our  women  consider  the  making  themselves 
useful  in  families,  is  nothing  more  or  less  than  down- 
right servitude.  Now  if  the  newspaper  statements, 
the  word  of  the  aged,  and  our  own  observation  may 
be  depended  on,  1  think  there  is  some  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  these  practices  of  which  w^e  complain  have 
also  had  tlieir  birth  and  nourishment  from  the  expan- 
sion of  branches  of  national  industry,  and  although 
we  do  not  wish  their  destruction,  we  think  if  they 
cannot  be  sustained  but  by  the  degradation  of  so 
important  a  class  as  our  working  women,  that  all 
good  men  will  acknowledge  they  are  paying  for  their 
country's  glory  at  a  very  high  rate. 

But  notwithstanding  these  apparent  proofs,  there 
are  many  persons,  who,  while  they  acknowledge 
that  improper  distinction  of  ranks  are  becoming  the 

*  I  speak  of  working  women  in  general,  no  doubt  there  are 
many  individuals  among  us  who  would  prefer  degradation  and 
self-abasement  were  the  state  of  society  ever  so  good.  Those 
of  course  can  have  no  part  or  lot  in  this  matter. 


xii  I'KKIACK. 

order  of  the  day,  account  for  it  in  quite  a  different 
manner.  They  say  that  instead  of  deprecating  na- 
tional industry  and  throwing  the  blame  on  tlie  rich, 
tiiat  the  working  classes  should  consider  this  distinc- 
tion as  originating  from  their  own  indifference  and 
lethargy.  That  the  ricli  from  much  intercourse  witli 
the  gentry  of  foreign  nations,  and  from  having  ac- 
tually made  great  proficiency  in  all  kinds  of  knowl- 
edge, have  outstripped  us.  That  although  the  means 
of  general  and  useful  information  have  been  within 
the  reach  of  every  man  and  woman  we  have  rather 
prefered  npcing  the  rich  in  superfluites  of  dress,  &c., 
to  the  more  important  and  substantial  imitations  of 
mental  culture,  and  higiily  ornamented  minds. 

That  the  beauty  and  stability  of  a  republic  de- 
pends much  on  the  intelligence  of  the  common  peo- 
ple, and  that  every  attempt  at  advancement  on  the 
part  of  the  rich,  should  be  followed  by  a  correspond- 
ing one  on  our  side.  But  if  our  working  men  prefer 
jogging,  &LC.  <.Vc.,  and  our  women  prefer  imitating 
our  ladies'  French  wardrobes,  to  cultivating  their 
minds  in  order  to  maintain  an  iiulependent  station, 
then  say  they,  instead  of  blaming  the  rich  as  usurp- 
ers of  natural  rights,  they  are  to  be  commended  tor 
monopolizing  all  those  choice  scraps  of  our  liberty 


PREFACE.  Xiii 

which  we  have  neglected  to  improve.  They  say, 
that  to  throw  ourselves  on  the  rich  to  be  taken  care 
of  is  altogether  unbecoming  a  nation  of  freemen, 
whose  proudest  boast  should  be  their  capability  to 
take  care  of  themselves.  Now  Unionists,  which  of 
these  statements,  suppositions,  and  opinions  comes 
nearest  the  truth,  I  shall  leave  for  you  to  determine, 
for  I  suspect  your  patience  with  me  is  about  gone. 
But  I  have  just  laid  my  hand  on  a  scrap  of  Ancient 
History  which  I  ask  leave  to  present  to  your  notice 
as  being  very  similar  to  these  last  remarks.  It  is 
this.  When  Agesilaus  marched  through  the  coun- 
try of  the  Thracians,  they  presented  him  with  corn, 
sweetmeats,  cheesecakes,  and  all  kinds  of  delicacies, 
both  of  meat  and  drink.  He  accepted  the  corn,  but 
commanded  them  to  give  the  rest  to  the  slaves,  and 
when  some  one  asked  the  reason,  he  replied :  Those 
who  profess  bravery  should  not  meddle  with  many 
superfluities,  and  whatsoever  takes  with  slaves  can- 
not be  agreeable  to  the  free.  It  is  true  this  anecdote 
belongs  to  a  barbarous  age,  but  I  think  it  furnishes 
a  pretty  good  hint  to  us,  that,  if  we  are  not  slaves, 
but  a  brave  and  free  people,  and  if  watchfulness  and 
intelligence  is  the  price  of  entire  liberty,  we  should 
reject  all  things  which  stand  in  the  way  of  these  as 


PREFACE. 


(luito  unworthy  the  attention  or  regard  of  American 
men  and  women.  But  above  all  things,  Unionists,  let 
us  reject  the  doctrine  of  being  taken  care  of  by  the 
rich  in  any  other  way  than  by  a  fair  exchange  of 
our  respective  commodities  or  ungratefully  accept- 
ing their  kindness  in  the  event  of  calamity  or  illness. 


A    COLLOaUlAL  POEM.' 


ARISTOCRAT. 

Freedom  !  Fair  Goddess  !  with  her  glorious  train 
Strews  her  gay  pageants  o'er  yonder  plain ; 
Her  bands  of  troops  their  martial  airs  display, — 
Her  cymbals  clash  and  warlike  trumpets  bray;  — 
And  all  that  greets  the  ear  or  meets  the  sight 
Sounds  patriotic, — looks  most  dazzling  bright; 
'Mongst  all  her  festivals,  parades  and  show, 
Which  suits  your  views  the  hesil 

ADVOCATE. 

I  hardly  knov\'. 

ARISTOCRAT. 

Our  whigs'  parade  is  splendid,  it  is  said. 
ADVOCATE. 

But  there  I  should  not  like  to  risk  my  head. 
If  they  on  Jackson's  head  no  mercy  show. 
Would  not  a  Jackson  man's  be  sure  to  go  1 


16  A    COLLOQIIAL    POKM. 


\  ;  :  :,• .  .  jiAristocrat. 

.Il4iil.Lha\w  kjnow-n  you  were  a  Jackson  man, 
;  T^its  cui>vopfi<iHo'n;  sir,  had  not  begun. 
Then  I  suppose  instead  of  whigs'  parades 
Your  theme  will  be  the  Union  of  the  trades. 

ADVOCATE. 

Yes,  could  I  luivc  that  steeple  for  my  (inill, 
Could  I  with  choicest  ink  Ciiarles  river  fdl, 
Paper  enough  to  cover  Boston  o'er, 
Of  first  rate  mind  five  hundred  yards  or  more, 
Then  from  among  fair  freedom's  gay  parades 
My  theme  would  be  the  Union  of  the  trades. 

ARISTOCRAT. 

The  only  men  who  choose  such  foolish  themes 
Are  those  of  little  minds  and  stinted  means. 

ADVOCATE. 

T  own  my  powers  are  of  the  humblest  class; 
liul  who  can  see  this  sturdy  phalanx  pass — 
Their  standards  waving  with  a  gentle  flow, — 
Their  apt  devices,  mottos,  and  the  glow 
Of  conscious  w<Mtli,  and  ^trenmh  which  seem  to  rest 
On  all  their  featmes,  animates  their  breast, 
Their  manly  step,  their  foims  and  heads  erect, 
So  well  becoming  Boston's  architects. 


A    COLLOQUIAL    POEM.  17 

I  think  unless  a  man  were  really  (hnnb, 

He  could  not  see  them  pass,  and  hold  his  tongue. 

ARISTOCRAT. 

.  Your  martial  speech,  bombastic  eloquence, 
Would  ill  become  a  man  of  better  sense. 
To  throw  away  upon  a  puling  babe, — 
A  little  infant  of  the  Union  trade 
That  never  show'd  its  head  abroad  before. 
Or  ventured  scarce  to  step  beyond  the  door. 

ADVOCATE. 

If  in  this  host  we  but  the  baby  see, 

0  what  a  giant  wdl  its  manhood  be  ! 
Aristocrats  and  certain  others  then. 

Will  find  they  grapple  not  with  babes,  but  men. 

1  am  not  gifted  with  a  prophet's  eye, 
But  let  me  venture,  sir,  to  prophecy 
That  this  poor  babe  to-day  will  light  a  fire 
That  will  not  soon  diminish  or  expire. 
How  is  it,  sir,  that  men  who  make  pretence 
To  dignity,  high  rank,  superior  sense. 

Can  call  these  men — 
These  who  are  passing  now  your  very  door, 
The  lower  orders,  or  the  mean,  the  poor, — 
These  props  and  pillars  of  your  wealth  and  state — 
These  on  whose  toil  you  thrive — luxuriate — 
2* 


18  A    COLLOQUIAL    POEM. 

When  ihcy  a  monument  or  pillar  raise, 
Tlie  mnrhlc  or  the  granite  get  your  praise. 
Yotn'  splendid  houses  too  seem  duly  prized; 
^\'hy  are  llic  Injildt-rs  then  so  much  despised  T 

ARISTOCRAT. 

I'll  tell  you,  sir,  we  have  no  fault  to  find 
With  them  as  builders, — 'tis  their  low  caste  mind. 
You  know  the  times  arc  changed  and  now  require 
The  rich  to  raise  themselves  a  little  higher; 
It  is  not  pride,  but  maimers  more  refined, — 
Progressive  intellect, — the  march  of  mind. 

ADVOCATE. 

Indeed  ! !  if  what  you  say  be  really  true, 
Why  may  not  these  progress  and  march  on  too  1 
Think  you  because  their  implements  of  trade 
,      Of  iron,  lead,  or  wood,  or  stone  are  made, — 
Think  you  this  nol)le  band  of  architects 
Have  leaden  heads  or  wooden  intellects  ? 

AUI.^TOCRAT. 

Were  our  lamented  iSpurzheim  with  us  now, 
lie  could  much  light  upon  this  sitbject  throw. — 
'Twas  his  opinion,  sir,  (und  he  was  wise) 
That  when  on  heads  some  organs  seemed  to  rise 
Above  the  rest — 'twere  easy  then  to  find 
Whiit  calling  suited  Im'sI  the  ptTson's  mind — 


A    COLLOQUIAL    POEM.  19 

Whether  the  pulpit,  physic,  or  the  law, 

The  arts  and  sciences, —  the  trades,  or  war. 

Now,  sir,  if  this  philosophy  is  good, 

These  men  have  bumps  for  iron,  lead,  and  wood  : 

Hence  comes  their  choice  of  various  crafts  and  trade, 

For  which  no  doubt  they  were  expressly  made. 

ADVOCATE. 

This  doctrine  of  the  skull  you  misconstrue; 
Spurzheim  allowed  that  lesser  organs  too 
Might  be  improved,  and  often  brought  to  vie 
Willi  those  which  at  the  first  appeared  so  high. 
He  nowhere  said  or  wrote  that  Heaven  designed 
The  rich  to  make  monopoly  of  mind. 
Besides,  if  in  your  way  we  demonstrate. 
What  will  become  of  our  great  Franklin's  pale  1 
For  he  was  of  this  class  whom  you  despise. 
Yet  was  he  greatly  learned,  and  justly  prized. 
Your  father's  father  learned  a  mason's  trade — 
Does  that  your  family  or  rank  degrade  1 

ARISTOCRAT. 
I  told  you,  sir,  the  change  was  in  the  times. — 

ADVOCATE. 

I  tell  you,  sir,  the  change  is  in  your  minds. 
Were  Spurzheim  here  no  doubt  he  would  have  said 
That  these  same  chaps  present  as  fine  a  head, — 


20  A    COLT.OQUIAL    TOEM. 

And  forehead  as  complete,  as  nicely  ca5t, 

As  those  he  saw  among  the  higher  class. 

Til  ink  not  because  they  work  on  stone  or  steel, 

They  have  not  heads  that  think  or  hearts  that  foci. 

ARISTOCRAT. 

Admitting  then  that  these  have  intellect 
Like  us,  jirogrcssive,  and  in  that  respect 
Are  (pialified  with  us  to  take  their  place, 
Still  I  contend  'twould  be  a  dire  disgrace. 
I  lately  heard  a  master  workman  say, 
Tliat  give  these  men  two  leisure  hours  a  day 
And  off  they'd  jog 
And  use  it  up  in  revelling  and  grog, 
If  they  their  morals  shamefully  neglect. 
Then  what  avails  their  strength  of  intellect  1 
I  hear  these  fellows  mean  to  legislate — 
But  are  such  fit  to  guide  the  helm  of  state. 
Who  cannot  steer  themselves  two  hours  straight? 
Forbid  it,  heaven,  that  we  should  ever  see, 
Our  country  ruled  by  drunken  anarchy. 
'Tis  quite  enough  that  through  one  tyrant's  power, 
Her  cliildrcn's  wrongs  are  heightened  every  hour. 

ADVOCATE. 

That  workman  whom  you  (juote,  I  know  his  name, 
And  would  reveal  it,  but  I  spare  his  shame. 
Upon  this  Union  l)abc  he  longs  to  stamp, 


A    C'OLUXjriAL    rOKM.  21 

And  all  its  energy  and  spirit  cramp, 

He  has  no  honor  though  he  may  have  sense  ; — 

We  mnst  not  take  this  fellow's  evidence. 

ARISTOCRAT. 

Dismiss  it  then — but  would  you  have  me  think 
That  'mongsi  tliese  men  there's  none  who  spend  in  drink 
And  base  carousals,  all  their  leisure  hours, 
Degrade  their  minds  and  enervate  their  powers? 

ADVOCATE. 
If  every  other  member  were  a  sot. 
Nor  should  I  dare  protest  that  they  are  not. 
Would  it  be  right  to  implicate  the  whole 
Because  one  half  in  beastly  folly  rolU 

ARISTOCRAT. 

Then  is  it  right,  etiuitable,  or  wise, 
A  body  politic  to  organize, 
When  even  its  partizans  have  doubts  at  least, 
Whether  one  half  are  virtuous  men,  or  beasts; 
Or  should  we  call  those  men's  intentions  pure 
Of  whose  firm  goodness  we  cannot  be  sure  1 

ADVOCATE. 

When  our  rich  men  in  bodies  organize, 
Are  they  selected  from  the  good  and  wise  1 
But,  sir,  this  question  will  you  answer  first. 
Would  it  be  kind  or  generous  or  just 


22  A    COLLOQllAL    POEM. 

To  take  from  your  proud  ranks  the  sons  of  weulih — 

All  who  in  nightly  revels  waste  their  health, 

And  all  who  cheat  or  lie,  desU'oy  tlieir  fame, 

Or  get  their  heads  bamboozled  with  champaigne, — 

Would  it  be  just  I  say  to  make  these  pass 

Fur  a  fair  sample  of  our  highest  class  1 

For  we  have  yet  (and  gracious  heaven  be  thanked) 

Some  men  among  us  of  the  highest  rank. 

Of  generous  minds,  good  manners,  and  good  name. 

Of  whom  even  Unionists  would  not  com|)lain;  — 

And  numbers  too  of  those  who  bend  tlic  knee 

To  hydra-headed  aristocracy. 

VVoulil  they  but  tear  their  idol  from  its  base 

And  worship  our  republic  in  its  place. 

No  one  could  scruple  to  confer  on  them 

'I'he  title  of  our  'native'  noblemen. 

15ut  ill  yi)ur  \ic\va  I  tliiuk  there's  some  mistake. 

These  men  do  nut  intend  to  legislate 

Nor  yet  themscUcs  to  guide  the  helm  of  state; 

Nor  does  political  or  party  creed 

Their  motives  actuate  or  their  measures  lead. 

ARlSTOfUAT. 
I'ray  tell  us,  sir,  what  are  their  motives  then^ 

ADVOCATE. 

INIerely  to  claim  tluir  biriln  ighl  as  freemen. 


A    COLLOQUIAL    POEM.  23 

ARISTOCRAT. 

A  strange  excuse!  quite  plausible  indeed! 
But  one  which  no  American  should  need. 
Does  Fi'eedom  scatter  with  more  sparing  hand, 
Her  gifts  and  blessings  on  this  Union  band 
Than  on  their  fathers  who  preceded  theml 
Does  she  forget  the  rights  of  working  men  ? 

ADVOCATE. 

Against  fair  Freedom,  just  impartial  dame, 
I  would  not  have  you  think  our  men  complain  ', — 
But  'gainst  a  host  of  proud,  ambitious  men 
Who  filch  from  her  those  gifts  she  meant  for  them. — 
They  thinking  fi-eeraen's  rights  could  not  be  seized. 
Allowed  the  rich  to  govern  as  they  pleased;  — 
Left  them  to  manage  th'  affairs  of  state — 
Almost  exclusively  to  legislate; 
And  each  pursuing  his  respective  trade. 
Dreamed  not  that  yankees  would  their  rights  invade; 
But  now  just  rising  from  their  dang'rous  sleep. 
They  find  if  freemen  would  their  birth-right  keep, 
They  must  not  to  the  rich  be  slaves  or  delves. 
But  watch  their  rights  and  liberties  themselves. 

ARISTOCRAT. 

Thifl  fine  excuse^of  theirs  is  nothing  worth, 
'Tia  faction,  sir,  base  faction  sends  them  forth. 


24  A    COLLOQUIAL    POEM. 

There's  some  vile  mischief  plotter  at  their  head, 

By  whose  advice  their  rebel  sprites  are  led. 

If  they  believe  their  rights  have  been  betrayed, 

Instead  of  combinations  or  parade — 

Instead  of  making  such  a  public  fuss. 

Why  don't  they  peaceably  complain  to  us  1 

There  must  be  mischief  brewing  when  we  find 

The  lower  orders  in  such  clubs  combined; 

Our  men  who  have  their  country's  good  at  heart. 

In  combinations  never  take  a  part: 

'Tis  not  alone  th'  result  of  private  thought 

That  Union  schemes  are  with  much  danger  fraught, 

For  men  of  wisdom,  knowledge,  mighty  mind. 

Who  injudicial  lore  are  quite  refined. 

And  who,  on  points  like  these,  are  qualified 

The  public  mind  and  judgment  to  decide — 

Our  Judges,  lawyers,  all  our  learned  men 

With  one  accord  these  Union  trades  condemn: 

And  some  have  thought  we  could  these  men  indict. 

And  put  their  airj'  dreams  at  once  to  flight. 

ADVOCATE. 

'Twere  easier,  sir, 
Leviathan  from  his  briny  bed  to  urge, 
Or  bound  the  mighty  ocean's  swelling  surge. 
Or  great  Niag'ra's  foaming  torrents  stem. 
Than  check  this  movement  in  our  working  men. 


A    COLLOQUIAL    POEM.  25 

The  time  has  passed  when  learned  men  aiid  those 
Led  sense  and  reason  blind-fold  by  the  nose : 
When  reason  now  her  glorious  light  unfolds. 
And  o'er  the  human  mind  her  cm|)ire  holds; 
From  her  dominion,  sir,  she  will  not  budge 
For  lawyers,  learned  men,  or  learned  judge. 

ARISTOCRAT. 

'Tis  insurrection,  sir,  and  party  spite, 
Tliese  Union  men  mistake  for  reason's  light: 
Reason  from  good  allegiance  never  draws, 
Or  teaches  subjects  to  defy  the  laws. 

ADVOCATE. 

When  Britian's  monarch,  in  an  evil  hour. 
Resolved  to  aggrandize  and  stretch  his  power. 
And  make  his  colonists  like  menials  yield. 
Our  patriot  fathers  bravely  took  the  field: — 
Was  it  rebellion,  sir,  and  party  spite 
These  men  mistook  for  reason's  sober  1  ight "? 
Or  did  base  faction  urge  them  on  to  war, 
And  bid  defiance  to  their  country's  law  '? 

ARISTOCRAT. 

Our  patriot  fathers,  sir,  do  you  not  know. 
Engaged  in  strife  t'  expel  a  foreign  foe ; 
They  did  not  rise,  as  Union  trades  have  done. 
Against  their  friends  and  government  at  home. 
3 


26  A    COLLOQUIAL    POEM. 

ADVOCATE. 

Tliis  love  of  domination  is  the  same, 
Tlio  only  tliflfrence  is  in  place  and  name; 
Our  patriot  sires  the  <  Union  band'  of  yore 
Demanded  '  e(inal  rights,' — these  ask  no  more. — 
They  from  long  sufTcring  had  recourse  to  arms — 
These  Unions  scarce  have  breathed  the  first  alarms;  — 
They  march  not  forth  with  staves,  or  spears,  or  swords, 
Presumptuous  airs,  or  bold  and  daring  words, 
But  like  the  grateful,  happy,  brave,  and  free. 
To  celebrate  thcirnation's  jubilee. 
Nor  have  these  Union  trades  the  least  intent 
To  rise  'gainst  friends,  or  foes,  or  government. 
Nor  do  they  laws  or  learned  men  despise. 
Or  set  at  naught  (he  judgment  of  the  wise;  — 
They  will  accomplish  all  their  '  airy  dreams,' 
Not  by  illegal,  but  by  lawful  means. 

ARISTOCRAT. 

While  of  small  numbers  and  small  power  fwssessed, 
Silence,  they  think,  becomes  them  much  the  best; 
IJut  if  with  lime  their  luiiubers  shoulil  increase 
They'll  not  rcs|>cct  llie  laws  or  public  peace. 

.\DVOCATE. 

The  more  their  power  and  their  numbers  grow, 
The  greater  order  will  these  Unions  show; 


A    COLLOQUIAL    POF.M.  27 

For  when  their  motives  are  well  umlerstood, 

More  men  will  join  them  from  the  wise  and  good: 

Ah'eady  they  have  members,  good  and  just, 

Who  dared  not  ventmo  in  their  ranks  at  fir.st ; 

But  'dangerous  comhinations'  since  have  joined, — 

Espoused  their  cause  with  hand  and  Itcart  and  mind. 

I  read  an  English  print,  (last  month,  I  believe. 

Which  print  perhaps  you  every  week  receive,) 

From  which  a  statement  will  not  come  amiss 

To  prove  my  point; — the  substance,  sir,  was  this: 

In  England  a  report  was  spread  abroad 

That  hosts  of  '  Union  trades'  were  on  the  road, — 

That  their  professed  intention  was  to  bring 

Some  paper  or  petition  for  the  king ; 

But  if  to  strike  at  government  they  chose. 

No  power  in  England  could  their  force  oppose;  — 

That  though  unarmed,  their  numbers  might  alone 

O'erturn  the  parliament  and  W^illiam's  throne. — 

Old  ladies  frightened,  up  the  chimney  sj)ed, — 

Grave  magistrates  looked  stern,  and  shook  their  heads — 

Donn'd  their  official  ro6es  and  periwigs. 

And  sat  them  down  with  expectation  big; 

And  magisterial  pomp  on  judgment  seat 

All  cap-a-pie,  the  rebel  trades  to  meet;  — 

And  turned  down  leaves  where  Lyttleton  and  Coke 

Wrote  laws  to  try  seditious  Union  folk: 

Nor  was  this  all, — the  king  to  reinforce 

The  civil  power,  had  ordered  troops  of  horse 


28  A    COLLOQUIAL    POEM. 

And  regiment  detachments  on  parade 
To  quell  the  tumults  of  the  Union  trade. 
Now  listen,  sir, — the  Unions  marched  along, 
A  mighty  host, — one  hundred  thousand  strong — 
Received  and  followed  by  a  monstrous  mass 
Of  common  folk,  who  cheered  them  as  they  passed  ;- 
Who  to  the  Unions  joined  could  soon  o'erwhehn 
All  law  and  order  in  fair  England's  realm ; 
For  England's  army,  if  compared  with  these, 
Would  seem  no  larger  than  a  host  of  fleas; — 
But  mark  the  conduct  of  the  Union  trades. 
They  wished  not  tumults,  cheerings,  or  parades. 
But  urged  the  multitudes  to  hold  their  tongue, 
Nor  even  cheer  them  as  they  passed  along. 
So  light  and  noiseless  did  these  Unions  pass. 
One  might  suppose  they  marched  o'er  eggs  or  glass  ; 
And  having  finished  that  f(jr  which  they  came. 
They  formed,  and  (piietly  inarched  back  again. 
Then  magistrates  again  disrobed  themselves, — 
Put  Cuke  and  Lyttleton  back  on  their  shelves; 
And  lawyers,  learned  men,  and  learned  judge, 
To  their  own  homes  began  their  stately  trudge : 
No  doubt  deep  chagrin  overspread  their  face. 
That  '  I'nions'  gave  them  si\rii  a  wil(l-goosc-cha5C. 

ARISTOCRAT. 

From  Cobbctt's  paper — 'tis  not  worth  a  fig. 


A    COLLOQUIAL    POEM.  29 

ADVOCATE. 

No,  no,  dear  Sir,  the  paper  is  a  whig, — 
A  famous  journal  called  the  London  Times, 
And  no  great  friend  to  workmen  who  combine. 

ARISTOCRAT. 

If  such  a  statement  in  the  Times  appeared, 
No  doubt  'tis  true,  and  then  your  point  is  cleared. 

ADVOCATE. 

Now  if  these  men  by  mere  combining  trades. 
Call  from  your  lips  such  speeches,  such  tirades. 
Factious,  rebellious,  mischief  brewing  elves. 
What  better  title  can  you  take  yourselves  1 
This  combination,  sir,  is  one  effect 
Of  those  examples  our  great  men  have  set. 
Judges  and  Lawyers  have  long  been  combined. 
In  spite  of  intellect  or  march  of  mind. 
Why  should  you  not  these  very  men  indict. 
And  every  one  who  claims  a  chartered  right, 
Who  their  own  elevation  to  secure 
Have  made  such  factious  rebels  of  our  poor. 
Those  who  teach  others  should  themselves  excel ; 
And  those  who  preach,  be  sure  they  practice  well. 

ARISTOCRAT. 

When  we  in  companies  associate, 
'Tis  for  the  public  good,  to  enrich  the  state. 


30  A    COLLOQUIAL    POEM. 

Does  not  our  country  owe  her  glorious  rise, 

To  active  men  whose  wealth  and  entcrprize 

Have  turned  her  vast  resources  to  account, 

And  raised  their  value  to  a  large  amount  1 

Consider,  sir,  our  manuflicturing  towns, 

Once  sprinkled  o'er  with  cattle,  ploughs,  and  clowns. 

Now  woollen-factory  looms,  and  cotton-mills, 

With  wealth  and  thrift  our  country's  coffers  fill. 

ADVOCATE. 

Those  who  to  opulence  their  country  raise. 
Most  certainly  deserve  their  country's  praise. 
But  there  are  many,  sir,  who  long  have  thought, 
That  great  men's  sciienies  are  with  much  danger  fraught. 
Their  high  demeanor  and  tlieir  haughty  swell 
Sends  whisperings  to  our  cars — all  is  not  well. — 
We  had  much  rather  see  our  country  poor 
Than  have  her  sons  such  arrogance  endure. 
We  rather  see  the  farmer  with  his  plough 
Than  those  vast  works  from  whence  your  riches  flow. 
The  simple  ringing  of  a  fact'ry  boll, 
To  some  men's  cars  is  Freedom's  funeral  knell. 
You  say  the  rich  in  joining  trades  profess 
The  public  good; — well,  Unions  tlo  no  less. 
They  urge  their  drunkards  never  more  to  jog 
To  use  up  time  in  reveling  and  grog. 
They  urge  their  strong  to  rou.«o  the  dull  and  weak. 
And  each  the  welfare  of  the  other  seek. 


A    COLLOQUIAL    POEM.  81 

To  cultivate  their  niinils,  inspire  their  zeal 
To  take  some  interest  in  tiieir  country's  weal. 

ARISTOCRAT. 

There  were  no  Unions  in  their  father's  day, — 
Why  should  these  think  themselves  more  wise  than  i!;<  v 
Their  fathers'  zeal  never  rose  to  such  a  pitch  ; 
Their  fathers  never  railed  against  the  ricli, — 
But  now  if  there's  a  few  more  rich  than  they, 
Then  railing  makes  the  order  of  the  day. 
Their  fathers  lived  contented  with  their  lot, 
Pursued  their  quiet  course  and  murmured  not. 
Such  were  mechanics  in  my  grandsire's  time, 
And  'twould  be  better  were  they  such  in  mine. 

ADVOCATE. 

But,  sir,  yon  do  not  choose  yourselves  to  plod. 
The  same  old-fashioned  paths  your  fathers  trod. 
You  deem  it  right  for  you  to  explore  new  tracks. 
But  say  to  working  classes  "  you  stand  buck ; " 
Forgetting  that  a  change  in  our  rich  men 
Must  work  a  corresponding  change  in  them. 
They  see  their  rich  have  changed  that  every  hour, — 
They  push  the  working  classes  lower  and  lower; — 
They  see  them  stretch  their  necks  to  meet  the  skies, 
Authority  and  wealth  monopolize. 
They  see  them  frown,  and  hear  them  scold  and  roar. 
Because  a  workman  rings  at  their  front  door. 


A    COLLOQUIAL     TOEM. 

They  fear  some  chain  is  forging  wlien  they  find 
All  higher  orders  in  such  clubs  combined. 

ARISTOCRAT. 

'Tis  envy  low,  mistrust  and  jealousy, 
Which  ill  Ijcconie  your  "  happy,"  "  brave"  and  free. 

ADVOCATE. 

Rut  it  beromcs  your  men  of  mighty  mind 
To  say  our  trades  for  mischief  have  combined. 

ARISTOCRAT. 

I  some  suspect  they  rather  wisli  to  shine 
In  drawing-rooms,  and  at  great  tables  dine. 

ADVOCATE. 

O  no,  indeed,  nor  yet  the  next  extreme, 
From  great  men's  tables,  bones  and  crumbs  to  glean. 
Nor  do  they  wish  to  talk  or  ride  or  dance. 
Or  dress  or  feast  like  gentlemen  of  France. 
They  only  wish  their  station  to  maintain. 
And  for  tlu-ir  labor  proper  payment  gain. 
They  cannot  see  why  men  who  work  at  trades 
Should  be  denominated  "  lower  grades." 

ARISTOCRAT. 

The  cause  is  this  :  the  (dder  nations  grow. 
The  plainiT  arc  lliosc  lines  which  serve  to  show, 
The  rich  and  well  bred  from  tlie  poor  and  low. 


A    COLLOQUIAL    TOEM.  83 

We  do  possess  a  right  some  bounds  to  fix, 
That  higher  ranks  with  lower  may  not  mix. 

ADVOCATE. 

You  reason  falsely.      Have  tlie  lower  tribe 
Resigned  their  rights  to  you  to  circumscribe 'J 
It  needs  you  know,  the  nation's  whole  consent, 
To  change  the  basis  of  our  government. 
The  men  who  reared  its  fabric,  sir,  were  wise; 
We  need  not  ciiange,  or  alter,  or  revise. 
If  I  this  subject  rightly  understand, 
All  ranks  are  equal  in  our  happy  land. 
None  can  of  right  draw  one  exclusive  line, 
Or  say  this  rank  is  ours,  or  that  is  thine. 
Men  of  great  minds  great  virtues  and  great  sense, 
Should  in  all  countries  take  the  precedence. 
Wealth  of  its  own  accord  is  sure  to  raise 
For  its  possessor,  deference  and  praise. 

ARISTOCRAT. 

If  deference  and  praise  round  rich  men  spring. 
And  of  their  own  accord  these  offerings  bring, 
And  they  accept  them,  how  can  you  condemn 
Or  call  them  proud  monopolizing  men  1 
Or  how  can  you,  a  leveler  of  ranks. 
Allow  our  rich  or  learned  men  complaisance  1 
How  two  suclfopposites  can  be  sustained, 
I  feel  quite  anxious,  sir,  to  hear  explained. 


34  A    COLLOQUIAL    POEM. 

ADVOCATE. 

For  C'uml  raiikd  I  earnestly  conlcnJ, 
Dill  ciiiial  tsliaies  of  wealth  do  not  commend: 
Yoii  recollect  this  system  has  been  tried, 
And  like  all  other  "  rotten  systems,"  died. 
No  man  of  sound  or  well  enlightened  mind. 
Or  who  possessed  much  knowledge  of  mankind 
Would  ever  advocate — much  less  devise — 
A  plan  so  visionary, — so  unwise. 
The  life  of  all  society  retiuire 
Such  men  as  aim  at  riches  to  aspire; 
And  hy  ihcir  prudence,  industry  and  skill, 
Or  fair  iidicritance  their  purses  fdl: 
Now  all  mankind  arc  much  in  love  with  gold, 
And  hence  it  is  that  men  who  riches  hold 
Are  tacitly, — allowed  much  comjjlaisance, 
And  yet  no  homage  or  superior  ranks 
We  must  have  judges,  lawyers,  learned  men, 
To  plead  in  virtues  cause  and  vice  condemn ; 
To  try  us  when  we  pinch  or  kill  our  wives. 
Or  put  in  jeopardy  our  neighlwr's  lives; 
Or  set  his  barn  or  dwelling-house  on  Cue  ; 
Or  call  each  other  '  booby,'  '  goose,'  or  '  liar.' 
These  are  entitled  to  our  high  respect, 
Both  for  the  sake  of  law  and  intellect. 
And  all  the  deference  which  freemen  show, 
And  all  tlir  praise  which  does  sjiontancous  llow 


A    COLLOQUIAL    POEM.  35 

To  rich,  or  learned,  is  consistcnl  (juile 

With  our  republic,  and  with  equal  right. 

But  when  our  learned  or  wealthy  arrogate 

To  their  own  selves  great  dignity  or  state, 

And  peaceful  independent  trades  indict. 

And  scorn  the  doctrine  of  their  equal  right. 

Who  think  they  have  a  right  some  bounds  to  fix. 

That  lower  ranks  with  higher  may  not  mix. 

This  is  insulting  freemen,  and  beside, 

Is  aristocracy  and  high  tcned  pride. 

This  is  a  foreign  weed  and  will  not  thrive 

Upon  a  soil  where  none  but  freemen  live. 

In  vain  they  plant  in  vain  expect  to  see 

Its  tender  germs  become  a  stately  tree: 

For  while  they  watch  with  care  its  opening  blades, 

This  factious  mob,  of  plebian.  Union  Trades 

Will  rise  and  tear  away  its  tender  shoots. 

And  trample  down  at  last  its  noxious  roots. 

ARISTOCRAT. 

But  now,  good  sir,  the  clock  is  striking  two, 
The  trades  have  long  since  past; — good  bye  to  you. 


The  Printer  regrets  that  an  anxious  public 
have  been  so  long  deprived  the  privilege  of  see- 
ing this  little  Poem  : — he  hopes,  however,  their 
high  expectations  of  a  rich  entertainment  from 
its  perusal  will  be  fully  realized. 

The  manuscript  was  put  into  his  hands  last 
August ;  but  circumstances  have  rendered  it 
impracticable  to  issue  it  sooner. 

December.  1834. 


> 


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V       l.WW 


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